By Dr Aku Okolo
Prince Anthony Tijani Okolo was born in 1968 to the family of late Mallam Tijani Okolo of Obeya kekele & late Madam Felicia Abe Atawodi of Iji all of Anyigba, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria.
Simply put, Tony is of the current reigning royal Household in Anyigba.
Anthony was born into Catholic family, and all the years on earth lived and got his training in Christianity.
At home and in schools, he never joked with attendance at Holy Masses. While on the sick bed, he insisted and got the grace of been anointed with oil of the sick and received the Holy Eucharist.
He loved his family and the extended family members a lot, he supported the poor in the Church and other programmes, a member of St. Michael the Arch Angel Society of St. Joseph, Anyigba.
Equally he was a serious leader in the Eminent Club International, and Omega Circle Club all of Anyigba.
He attended R .C .M Primary School, Anyigba. He proceeded to the Government Secondary School, (G.S.S) Dekina.
Later went to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and bagged a Diploma in Law. His desire to become a Lawyer did not come through and was offered admission in the same institution to complete a Degree in International Relations and had his mandatory National Youth Service, at a Military Barracks in Kano.
Late Tony did not give unemployment any face, he started looking for a private business and ventured into domestic property to keep life going, until when he got employed and worked for 7up Bottling Company, posted to Lagos plant, later Kano and Maiduguri plants respectfully before retirement home to come and face private business which he usually said paid more.
While at home, the quest to become a Lawyer never left the mind of Anthony, he proceeded again for a Degree in Law in Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba.
Upon completion of the Law Degree and certificated, Late Tony went to Law School in Enugu, ran back home because of sickness and could not complete, tried Law School in Abuja twice and the same health issue did not allow him, he came to a conclusion and said ” l want to Face my health yet and for the past six to eight months, Tony has been in one hospital and the other until his demise on the 3rd March, 2026.
Anthony we love you but God does it more.
Our joke because of your coming out from frequent sickness and pains we used to call you Ikokwu! and your Chase of many businesses, we call you Igbo.
But you truly struggled and eventually died. May God grant you eternal rest with Christ whom you never doubted as your Saviour.
